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ETernal God: whose omnipotent word brought me and this whole world of creatures into being. Out of the fulness of whose goodness, we are all fed and maintained; and by whose rich and abundant grace it is, that our souls are not in a desperate and forsaken condition: but may approach
with some confidence to thee our Ma∣ker, who in thy Son hast revealed thy self unto us, a most merciful Father. I fall down before thee in an humble re∣verence, to perform that Religious du∣ty which I owe thee as thy creature, and much more as thy redeemed one, through the purchase thou hast made of us by the blood of Jesus. I admire, adore and love all that I know of thee. I extol and praise thy wisdom, thy bounty, thy holiness and truth, which endureth for ever. I acknowledg my self beholden to thee beyond all my words, or conceptions either. I re∣proach my self for my base ingratitude, and all the wrongs I have done thee. I confess the justice of thy proceedings, shouldst thou strip me of all those good things, thou hast bestowed on me. I give thee the glory of thy ineffable and never enough to be valued love in thy Son Christ. I disclaim all opposition to thy will, as base, unjust and unac∣countable.
I vow to thee my intire service and obedience: and approve all thy Commandments as righteous, wise and good. I lay new bonds up∣on my self, to keep and observe them with my whole heart; and rejoyce in thy pretious promises accounting them better than thousands of gold and sil∣ver. My hope, my satisfaction, my comfort is in thy word: which incou∣rages me to wait on thee for the grace of thy holy Spirit; blessing thee for that portion of it, which I have already received. I thank thee for all thy other goodness to me, and trust thee for the continuance of it, as far as thou seest pro∣fitable in thy wise providence; to which I heartily refer my self. I hope thou wilt accept of these poor but sincere ac∣knowledgments, and not condemn me out of my own confessions: but par∣don my errors and miscarriages, con∣firm my holy purposes, pitty my in∣firmities, and strengthen my pious
endeavours. That I may perfectly mortifie all sinful lusts and desires, faithfully discharge my dutie in my several relations, thankfully and sober∣ly use all thy mercies, patiently bear the heaviest afflictions, and improve my soul in wisdom and goodness, by all the helps thou affordest me: by thy holy Gospel, by the good counsels of others, the inspirations of the holy Ghost, thy many remarkable provi∣dences about me, and whatsoever courses thou takest with me, to bring me safe through this world, into an happy eternity. And now that I am about to address my self to the Table of the Lord, O that I might have such a sweet remembrance of his love, as may revive my spirit, encourage my hope, excite me to all my duty, and put an humble confidence in me, to look up unto thee again for thy par∣don; and for the grace of thy holy Spi∣rit, to enable me to please thee better
ever hereafter. Thou who knowest all things, seest that my soul waits for thee, O God, and longs to be more like thee; and is ready to offer up its understanding, will, and all its affecti∣ons unto thee: That I may remain sted∣fast and unmoveable in justice and cha∣rity; meekness and humility; tempe∣rance and purity; contentedness and patience, devotion and piety; with all other fruits of thy good Spirit. Suffer nothing to appear in my soul before thee, but reverend thoughts of thee, most zealous love to thee, passionate desires that Christ Jesus may live in me, and appear in all the actions of an innocent, harmless and useful life. That so the day when I approach unto thee, may be a day of good tidings of great joy; a day of peace and recon∣ciliation, of feasting and refreshment, of comfort and incouragement, to walk before thee with a perfect heart as long as I live. Whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoe∣ver things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoe∣ver things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, help me alwayes to think on these things. And the God of peace be with me; and supply all my need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In whose name and words, I still recommend my self to thy grace, saying,
Our Father which art, &c.
Phil. 4.8, 9, 19.